Summer bootcamp teaches students coding

Nearly 30 students recently completed a Youth Coding Bootcamp hosted by Comunidad, a nonprofit community development organization based at the Wilston Multicultural Center in Seven Corners.

The weeklong summer program immersed middle and high school students in creative, real-world problem-solving using block-based coding, said Comunidad Executive Director Maralee Gutierrez.

The students worked on micro:bits, pocket-sized computers that let them design interactive projects with lights, sensors, and motion.

“I like this,” said one teen participant, smiling as she watched her project light up in response to her code.

“By learning block-based coding, participants gained an accessible entry point into programming while developing the skills and confidence to explore more advanced tech pathways,” Gutierrez said. Projects ranged from budget planners, calculators, and timers to games like Pac-Man.

“Students remained focused and committed to their work, supported by dedicated volunteer instructors and coaches,” she said.

At the end of the week-long bootcamp, there was a dinner celebration with students’ families, and each student was given a certificate and a modest cash prize for their achievements.

The coding bootcamp has grown every year since it was launched four years ago.

“Our students are discovering that technology isn’t just something they use; it’s something they can shape,” Gutierrez said. “Understanding its relevance in their daily lives and future career paths is essential to their development.”